Chevythunder,
Glad that you're hanging in and considering your options. I hope you get where you want to be, and I look forward to hearing about your build as you go. I really think you ought to give the Chevrolet Performance Parts "crate" engines some consideration, and take time to call the dealer and get the net price vs list, as they discount pretty deep!

Quote Originally Posted by jerry clayton View Post
.....Just so you know-crate engines aren't built by the factories( GM, Ford<ETC) but by the low bidder for a number of assemblies for the name companies and are probably the poorest choice of anything to use in a hotrod or muscle car--------- If you want something FACTORY-- find a late model wreck and get the entire drive train--------------
Jerry, not sure where you're getting your info on engines from Chevrolet Performance, but if you go direct to Chevy (link - Crate Engines: Powerful and Classic Chevy Race Engines | Chevrolet ) the engine listed there, from the base 290hp 350 to the LSX454R are all "GM Certified Parts" built in the GM Engine works, and carrying the full GM warranty (Call 800-450-4150 to chat with GM Performance Parts if you want to confirm my understanding.) I consider them a great alternative for someone who may not need a custom build. I'm pretty sure that the same goes for Ford engines from Ford Racing Parts Direct, but I have not talked to them today. They are Ford Certified Parts, I know that they are available from your local Ford Dealer, and I am pretty confident that Ford will say that they are built by Ford shops and carry Ford warranty. Buying a takeout engine from salvage is of course a great alternative, too!

Quote Originally Posted by pat mccarthy View Post
..... a good engine even stock engine can be bulit by good machine work and building practise this has nothing to do the a dyno print out it just the right way to build a engine .. only a dumb ass would think that is no good with out paper .
Pat,
You're taking one thing out of what I said, twisting my words and then calling me a dumb ass? If you look back, what I said (in part) was
I would advise you to shop around and find a quality shop that you can trust to build what you want and can show you a successful history that's not just talk. One example that I would want to see might be recent record holders or guys who've been tall in the winners circle in their chosen race venue running drive lines from the shop, or maybe hard dyno sheets showing black & white performance data for their different levels of builds. A shop that wants to dyno your engine to break it in and prove it's right before it goes out the door says a lot for me.
I offered what are important things to me based on my experience, and mostly that anyone can toss out a line of BS, but if they can back it up with some hard evidence that shows success it's more than hot air. Maybe that's successes by clients in pro ranks, time slips from the track, published results on their engines, or even a dyno run on the engine built for me. When a guy says, "This engine will put out 600HP and 700ftlbs of torque", but offers nothing to verify it how does one really know? I've said nothing about you, your shop, or your capabilities as a builder here and there's no reason for me to. I've simply stated what I consider things that a prudent customer looking for a complete, assembled engine might want to consider, and it's my opinion and nothing more. If that makes me a dumb ass then I guess I'll just have to accept that and move on. I'll not add anything further to this thread.